Finding engaging and relevant resources for the science classroom is not as easy as it would seem. This presentation explores some of the resources that are both relevant and engaging for students from grade 5 to 10. It will include a discussion of some apps for iPads.

1. Australian School Library
Association Inc.
DIGITAL RESOURCES
FOR THE
SCIENCE CURRICULUM
PRESENTED BY
ISOBEL WILLIAMS
PRESIDENT, ASLA

2. Introduction
2
Isobel Williams
Currently teacher librarian and
year 7 Science teacher at Ogilvie
High School in Hobart
isobel.williams@education.tas.gov.au
Australian School Library Association Inc.

3. Australian Curriculum - Science
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 Science Understanding
 Science as a Human Endeavour
 Science Inquiry Skills
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4. 4
 Science Understanding
 Biological sciences
 Chemical sciences
 Earth and space sciences
 Physical sciences
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5. 5
 Science as a Human Endeavour
 Nature and development of science
 Use and influence of science
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6. 6
 Science Inquiry Skills
 Questioning and predicting
 Planning and conducting
 Processing and analysing data and information
 Evaluating
 Communicating
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7. Science Understandings
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 Biological Sciences - year 5 - 10
 Features and adaptations to survive in their environment
 The growth and survival affected by the physical conditions
 Classification helps organise this diversity
 Food chains and food webs
 Cells are the basic units of living things
 Multi-cellular organisms contain systems of organs
 Multi-cellular organisms rely on coordinated and
interdependent internal systems
 Energy flow through ecosystems
 DNA and genes
 The theory of evolution by natural selection
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8. Science Understandings
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 Chemical Sciences Year 5 - 10
 Solids, liquids and gases
 Physical and chemical change
 Separating mixtures
 motion and arrangement of particles
 Differences between elements, compounds and mixtures
 reactions form new substances
 All matter is made of atoms
 natural radioactivity
 mass is not created or destroyed
 Chemical reactions involve energy transfer
 The Periodic Table
 Different types of chemical reactions
 Different rates of reaction
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9. Science Understandings
9
 Earth and space sciences - year 5 - 10
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The Earth is part of the solar system
Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect
Earth’s surface
Seasons and eclipses
Renewable and non-renewable resources
Water cycle
Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks
The theory of plate tectonics
galaxies, stars and solar systems
The Big Bang theory
Global systems and cycles involving the biosphere, lithosphere,
hydrosphere and atmosphere
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10. Science Understandings
10
 Physical Sciences - year 5 - 10
 Light can be absorbed, reflected and refracted
 Electrical circuits
 Energy can be used to generate electricity
 Forces
 Earth’s gravity
 Energy appears in different forms
 Energy transfer can be explained using wave and particle
models
 Energy conservation in a system
 The motion of objects
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11. Science as a Human Endeavour
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Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and
using evidence
Important contributions have been made by people from a
range of cultures
Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes
available
Science knowledge can develop through collaboration
Scientific understanding are refined over time through a
process of review
Science and technology are linked
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12. Science as a Human Endeavour
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Science is used to solve problems
Scientific knowledge is used to inform decisions
Science and technology find solutions to contemporary issues
Science involves ethical considerations
Science influences human activity
People use science in their occupations
People can use scientific knowledge to evaluate decisions
Advances in science and technology significantly affect
people’s lives
The values and needs of contemporary society focus scientific
research
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13. Science Inquiry Skills
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 Questioning and predicting
 Pose questions
 Identify questions
 Formulate questions
 Planning and conducting
 Planning and conducting
 Plan with guidance, understand simple fair tests, collect data
 Collaboratively and individually plan, change variables, be
ethical, be safe, collect data accurately
 Plan, select and use appropriate investigation methods, be
safe, be ethical, collect reliable data
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14. Science Inquiry Skills
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 Processing and analysing data and information
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Organise and compare data
Analyse patterns and summarise data, draw conclusions
Analyse patterns, look for relationships, draw conclusions consistent
with evidence
 Evaluating
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Suggest improvements
Evaluate quality of data collected
Identify uncertainty, suggest specific improvements, valididty
 Communicating
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Communicate
Communicate in scientific language
Construct evidence based arguments using scientific language
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15. 15
Any questions?
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16. Geography vs Science
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 Geography
 Renewable, non-renewable resources – year 7
 Water – year 7
 Folding, faulting and volcanoes - year 8
 Rock type and landforms – year 8
 Science
 Renewable and non-renewable resources - year 7
 Water cycle – year 7
 Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks – year 8
 The theory of plate tectonics – year 9
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17. What I look for
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 Covers aspects of the curriculum
 Has potential to demonstrate some aspect that is
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harder to show in the classroom/lab
Is more than a point and shoot game
Is at the appropriate level for students
Has some degree of interactivity – student not a
passive receiver
Ideas
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18. ABC Splash
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19. Interactive Sites
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20. BBC Bitesize
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21. Scootle
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22. PBS
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23. NeoK12
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24. National Parks
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25. National Parks
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26. Nobel Prize
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27. Simulations
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28. Merlot II
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29. Science Learning Hub
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30. Annenberg Learning
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31. Atlas of living Australia
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32. Science Inquiry Skills
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Questioning and predicting
Planning and conducting
Processing and analysing data and information
Evaluating
Communicating
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33. CSIRO
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34. Science Buddies
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35. iPad
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 Educational objectives
 Critical thinking skills
 Some control over level of difficulty
 Clear and simple instructions
 Assess progress
 Value for money
 Does not allow access to external providers
 Does not require in-app purchases to work
 Does not ask for personal data
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36. Some iPad ideas – mostly free
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 Monster Physics
 Shout Science
 Food Webs
 Khan Academy
 goReact
 Hudson alpha icell
 Rube Works
 Kids discover – Cells $
 Science 360 for iPad
 Cells (school)
 Chemist
 Journey of invention (15
 Go SkyWatch
object free then $)
 Energy Island
 NASA science
 Aero!
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37. Post-webinar information
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Resource list and certificate of attendance
will be emailed
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